Recent Blog Posts in April 2009

Less than a year ago California passed new cell phone laws that prohibited drivers from using their cell phones while driving with the exception of a handless ear piece. These new cell phone laws target all motor-vehicle drivers, including commercial motor truck drivers. It is not uncommon to see a truck driver in Fresno talking on their phone, or on their two-way radio. Under the new laws, the only exception to the use of this kind of technology is in an emergency situation.

Commercial motor vehicles include tractor trailers, school buses, farm vehicles, and even tow trucks. These kinds of vehicles are large in size and are a challenge to operate even without the use of a cell phone. If a semi truck driver in Fresno, California is holding their cell phone while operating their commercial vehicle they are at risk of causing a trucking accident. It only takes a split second without a hand on the wheel for a truck to lose control and crash.

The exceptions for emergency situations allowing the use of a cell phone or a two-way radio by truck drivers are usually the kind of emergency trucking accidents which are caused by the illegal use of the cell phone in the first place. Trucking accidents cause deaths everyday on Fresno highways and one can only hope that the new cell phones restrictions aid in the prevention of trucking accidents.

If you have ever been the victim of a trucking accident in Fresno caused by a distracted truck driver on their cell phone you have cause to file a Fresno Personal Injury Lawsuit. When someone is seriously injured in a trucking accident it is an emergency. Consulting a Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer is in your best interest and will ensure that you get the most qualified legal representation available.

Contact one of our Fresno Trucking Accident Attorneys today for a free case evaluation!

Less than a year ago California passed new cell phone laws that prohibited drivers from using their cell phones while driving with the exception of a handless ear piece. These new cell phone laws target all motor-vehicle drivers, including commercial motor truck drivers. It is not uncommon to see a truck driver in Fresno talking on their phone, or on their two-way radio. Under the new laws, the only exception to the use of this kind of technology is in an emergency situation.

Commercial motor vehicles include tractor trailers, school buses, farm vehicles, and even tow trucks. These kinds of vehicles are large in size and are a challenge to operate even without the use of a cell phone. If a semi truck driver in Fresno, California is holding their cell phone while operating their commercial vehicle they are at risk of causing a trucking accident. It only takes a split second without a hand on the wheel for a truck to lose control and crash.

The exceptions for emergency situations allowing the use of a cell phone or a two-way radio by truck drivers are usually the kind of emergency trucking accidents which are caused by the illegal use of the cell phone in the first place. Trucking accidents cause deaths everyday on Fresno highways and one can only hope that the new cell phones restrictions aid in the prevention of trucking accidents.

If you have ever been the victim of a trucking accident in Fresno caused by a distracted truck driver on their cell phone you have cause to file a Fresno Personal Injury Lawsuit. When someone is seriously injured in a trucking accident it is an emergency. Consulting a Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer is in your best interest and will ensure that you get the most qualified legal representation available.

Contact one of our Fresno Trucking Accident Attorneys today for a free case evaluation!

Reports came back yesterday that two police officers were clear of wrongful death charges made against them after they were put on administrative leave for the shooting of a mentally disabled woman last July upon their response to an emergency call made by her family. The news said that the officers believed that the woman was going after one of them with a knife or an ice pick; but it actually turned out to be a crochet needle. This story involved an extensive investigation and after much deliberation by a court, they were cleared of all charges.

The family of the woman who was shot in the back field wrongful death claims on grounds that they police officers did not have to actually kill their loved one. She was possibly having a seizure and was unaware of what she was doing as she lunged toward the officer. There were no reports given as to the actions taken by the California officers at the scene in an attempt to save her life, while preventing her from causing harm to herself or others.

This is a tragic case of what appears to be self-defense by California authorities. But, the victim's family would argue otherwise, and with reasonable cause. It is a sad thing when someone is shot to death by police officers when the evidence appears to be that it could have been prevented. When police officers use their weapons without distinct reason or a clear threat of their life than there is cause to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the officers and the California Police Department.

If you or your love done has been critically injured, or even killed in a police shooting in Fresno, CA please contact one of our Fresno Police Brutality Lawyers today. We will answer all of your questions as well as conduct all of the needed research in your wrongful death / police brutality claim.

Contact one of our Fresno Police Brutality Wrongful Death Attorneys for a free case evaluation. We will fight for your rights today!

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported on Monday, April 13, 2009 that one person was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 5 not to far from Fresno, California the accident involved a SUV that rolled over causing the death of the automobile driver. The victim of this auto accident was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. There are no reports concerning the cause of the SUV accident, but it was reported that there were animals being transported in the sports-utility vehicle and Animal control responded to the scene of the accident according to a CHP officer.

Roll-overs are a risk for anyone who operates a sports-utility vehicle (SUV) in Fresno, California. In research done concerning the degree of the risk of rollovers for SUVs a study found that motor vehicle safety is being sacrificed for the appeal of the eye. Those who are manufacturing sports-utility vehicles are putting every person at risk that drives off of the dealership lot when the company fails to follow proper protocol in manufacturing a safe automobile for both a driver and their passenger; even if those passengers are animals.

If the SUV is found to have had faulty mechanics then the family of the victim has   the legal right to file a wrongful death suit against the manufacturing company of that particular vehicle. It is a very sad thing when someone dies in an accident that may have been prevented had there not been negligence by an automobile manufacturing company. Serious injuries are caused by rollovers if it is not a fatal auto accident. The California SUV driver in this story may have suffered blunt force trauma causing serious head injuries which resulted in their death, or the driver may have suffered internal organ damage causing a heart attack, or other fatal injuries.

If you or your loved one has been involved in an SUV rollover accident on a freeway near Fresno, California caused by the negligence of a sports-utility vehicle manufacturing company you are the victim of a personal injury and may have grounds to file a California personal injury lawsuit. If you know anyone who has died in a SUV rollover accident in Fresno they may have died a wrongful death and you should contact a Fresno Auto Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer today. We are highly educated in the area of wrongful death claims, as well as auto accident injury claims and we will make all of the communications needed to have you awarded the rightful compensation for your pain and suffering.

Contact our firm today at (559)-761-0061 for a free case evaluation!

The potential of a boating accident happening in Fresno, CA is very high considering the kind of community we live in. We are a community that likes the recreation of boating. In recent months, a man was convicted of a hit-and-run charge after hitting a young boy on a nearby lake in Fresno causing the child serious injuries. In national news, there have been reports of an Easter boating accident in FL where a boat crashed into a parked boat resulting in the death of five people and critically injured 9 people. Some of the victims in this tragic boating accident were California residents.

The reports of this boating accident are soaring with unanswered questions for the families of those who died and were injured. One article reports that there may be suspicion of alcohol related speeding and the inability of an intoxicated boat driver to react in enough time to have prevented the accident. Authorities also reported that this boat in particular has been stopped for on suspicion of exceeding weight capacity regulations. The accident resulted in an explosion which caused the mutilating of certain victims or severely burning others, and the catastrophic injuries of those who survived the boating accident.  Whatever is found out to be the cause of this accident the implications are that of negligence, alcohol related carelessness and regulation violations.

The question of who should be held accountable is ringing through most people's minds today and has this week as the family and friends of the victims are in mourning and wondering how this could have been prevented. Boating accidents like this can and have happened near Fresno, California. A family takes a day on the lake, and ends up being airlifted to a local medical center after a hit-and-run boating accident, or an explosion caused by a reckless, drunk driver operating an unauthorized boat.

If you have been seriously injured in a boating accident in Fresno, or your loved one was the victim of a wrongful death caused by a negligent boat driver on a lake in Fresno you should consult a Fresno Boating Accident Lawyer today. Your family should not have to deal with the legal paper work and extensive research that comes along with fighting for your rights in this great time of sorrow. Allow one of our Fresno Boating Accident Wrongful Death Attorneys to battle for your rightful compensation in this tragic loss for your family.

A well known teacher from Mona Shores, MI was killed in an automobile accident in California, just a few hours north of Fresno on Saturday. He was the passenger in a vehicle which was operated by a drunk driver. The motor vehicle struck a tree after the drunk driver lost control of his sports car. The school teacher suffered fatal injuries from the impact of the car crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The reckless driver was taken to a California hospital where he was treated for serious injuries. He has been arrested for felony drunk driving in the state of California.

The victim who was killed in this accident most likely suffered injuries such as a traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which is one of the leading causes of death in California today. He may have been thrown from the vehicle had he not been wearing a seat belt, or he may have even bled to death. The fact is that he suffered a wrongful death as the result of the driver not exercising caution in his driving, or even obeying the law not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

The loss of a loved one in an automobile accident is sudden and devastating. The family of this man may have claims for a wrongful death lawsuit. Maybe your loved one was killed in an auto accident which was caused by a drunk driver or a reckless driver in Fresno, California you should seek out legal counsel. Contact one of our Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation. Our team of cultivated Fresno Auto Accident Attorney's knows how to handle your claims for a wrongful death lawsuit and will fight for your rightful compensation for any injuries, or medical bills you may be facing.

On Thursday April 2, 2009 it was reported that a California correctional deputy from Porterville has died in a motorcycle accident on a local freeway last night on his way to meet his family for dinner not to far from Fresno. His motorcycle was hit by a car and he was air lifted to the Fresno hospital where he later died. There are no details concerning the other driver, and it is assumed that they were not injured. The accident is still being investigated but it appears that the car who struck the deputy is at fault. More details will be revealed as the pending investigation finds more information concerning the cause of the accident.

It is probable that the deputy was thrown from his motorcycle and onto the road or into traffic. He may have suffered critical injuries such as severe burns and scraps as the result of hitting and rolling across the pavement. The intensity of a fall such as this would have caused serious damage to his internal organs, caused broken bones, or even severe brain damage. If this would not have been a fatal motorcycle accident it is most likely that the victim would have suffered for years to come with the injuries he suffered in the motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle accidents may be the result of a reckless motorcycle operator, or a negligent automobile driver.  In this case it appears as though a man suffered a wrongful death because of the reckless driviing of another car driver. If you or your loved one has ever been involved in am motorcycle accident in or around Fresno, California which was caused by negligence of automobile driver or your loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident caused by being hit by another car you should contact one of our Fresno Motorcycle Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation.

Two California men were hospitalized on Tuesday after a gas explosion severely injuree them on the job. They were attempting to loosen a bolt on a tank full of combustible fluids when the explosion happened. Each man suffered serious burns, and it was reported that both men suffered third-degree burns one 30% of his body burned and the other 50 %.  Both men are considered to be in critical condition and were rushed to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, California for treatment at the burn center there.

All of the details of the workplace accident have not been determined, but the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) are investigating the facts of the case. In total close to 18 firefighter responded to the emergency call and none were reported to have experienced any injuries. According to a worker at the plant it is not clear as to why the men were using fire torch on a fuel tank, because it is not a normal procedure or practice of the plant to do so.
This may very well be a case of workers negligence to properly operate machinery on the job, but it also may be a manufacturing malfunction on the fuel tank. Maybe this could have been prevented by the company not making a blow torch so easily accessible to works as an option of loosen bolts. Either way, two families are emotionally suffereing as the result of a workplace accident which had put their loved ones in the hospital for the Easter Holiday and longer.

It is hoped that these men recover from their serious injuries and burns caused by the explosion, but there have been incidents where workers have not recovered from injuries caused on the job, and some have even died a wrongful death at work. If your loved one has been killed on the job, or suffered critical injuries as the result of a workplace accident in or around Fresno which was clearly related to negligence on the company's part to maintain machines and give proper warnings for use of certain equipment than you should seek legal advice about the constitutional rights.

Contact one of our Fresno Workplace Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation concerning the details surrounding your workers compensation claim; please know that this consultation is confidential for your security.

The Fresno Police Department (FPD) has been blamed for the death of another man. Fresno Police officers fired 35 rounds at a man in the Stoney Brook apartment complex on Sunday March 29, 2009. The two police officers claim that the man opened fire on them after they suspected him of reckless driving and public disturbance. Based upon the testimony given by the shooting officers, the man ran into a complex gate, and was speeding into the neighborhood. They may have supsected he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Fresno police officers demanded that he put his weapon down and thought that their lives were in danger.  It is not yet known how many shots hit the suspect or which shot will be determined the fatal shot, but the man was probably pronounced dead at the scene of the shoot out. The parents of the young man who was shot and killed by the Fresno police men are saying that this was not self-defense and that their son was not the kind of man who would get into trouble. It was reported that this was the fifth person shot at this year by the department and the second one ending in a fatality. 

This case seems to have many facts involved in the progression of events, and at time two contradictory statements by the Fresno police officers and the family of the victim. This may very well be yet another legitimate claim of wrongful death against the Fresno police department or the County of Fresno. In cases where the authorities may have inconsistencies in their statements or there may be cause to suspect to negligence there can be much information to sift through. This is why Fresno Wrongful Death Attorneys are capable and eager to help families who may have a loved one who was the victim of a wrongful death caused by police brutality or negligent gun use.

A family in mourning over the wrongful death of their loved one should not have to worry about putting together the pieces of the puzzle or connecting the facts surrounding the death of their loved one. If you or someone you love has been involved in a situation where police brutality was a factor and you suffered serious injuries, or your loved one died a wrongful death as the result negligence and weapon abuse by a police officer you should seek out legal counsel to handle all of the logistics of your claim.

Contact a Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer today and find answers to your questions about wrongful death or personal injury claims and get the facts straight with a free consultation.

In early March it was reported that Valley Health Departments (VHD) have been dramatically affected by the current economic condition of our country and have been forced to cut back the amount of treatment they can afford to offer their patients.  In Fresno County, California, these budget cuts include the amount of attention given to patients with tuberculosis, dog-bites, food poisoning, immunization needs, and more. The lack of immediate care and or continued care could cause some patients to suffer further, more severe injuries, and even cause a public out break of disease.

There is a high demand for medical attention and for health department services in the Fresno Community, but with less money available to clinics and medical centers to pay staff who offer those services these demands are not being adequately met. There are implications about the health of the Fresno community, and all of California residents that come with the knowledge of cut backs and these implications are concerning and potentially alarming. If there are not enough funds to treat patients with proper care tactics and health criteria than who is liable when someone dies a wrongful death as the result of too little medication being administered or not enough attention given to their condition to catch a more serious illness?

The answer is that malpractice accusations are not in the too distant future if the Fresno Health Departments and Medical Centers cannot offer the care needed to properly diagnose, treat, or stabilize people who are suffering from injuries or sickness.  Negligence is never justifiable, even in an economical recession and financial hardships provoking cutting corners on patient treatment is the wrong answer to the problem. Malpractice is always the result of negligence in the medical field and is not limited to the current monetary stance of a county or even a country.

If you or a loved one has even been the victim of a malpractice injury or suffered physical harm or serious injuries because of the medical treatment cut backs in Fresno County you should contact one of our Fresno Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a consultation today. We offer free and confidential meetings to have you informed about your rights concerning medical malpractice and a doctor's negligence.

On Friday night, March 27, 2009 the Fresno County Police Department (FPD)  held a memorial DUI checkpoint in remembrance of an automobile accident in 2007 where a man who was struck by a car operated by a drunk driver. The checkpoint was stationed between Tulare and Chestnut in Fresno, CA. The D.U.I. check station was successful in preventing seven potential car accidents that would have been caused by 7 different drunk drivers that were on the road that night.

In the 2007, Jesse Velez Junior was killed after a drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed into the van that Jesse was driving.  He was a son, a husband and a father who is greatly missed by his family who will never forget this tragic event. They stand behind the county of Fresno, the Fresno Police Department, and the National Highways for Traffic Safety in a desire to stop people from driving drunk and endangering the lives of other drivers and passengers on the road.

The article did not report the kind of injuries that Jesse suffered as the result of the car accident, but it can be assumed that they were critical injuries, and that he was potentially pronounced dead at the scene. He may have suffered from extreme blood loss and bled to death, or he may have experienced severe brain trauma from the high impact auto accident and died not too long after that in the hospital.

Further details of his injuries are probably alarming and disheartening and the point is that drunk driving causes fatalities more times than not and it is usually the person who is hit by the drunk driver that is critically injured or that dies. Serious injuries change the course of someone's life forever, and carry with them life time stresses.

If you have been the victim of an auto accident where a drunk driver crashed into your motor vehicle and caused you serious injuries or you have acquired high medical bills from your injuries or your loved ones injuries you should contact a Fresno Automobile Accident Attorney today. You may have ground for a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver who caused the car accident.

In Fresno, California a popular nursing home, the Raintree Convalescent Hospital, has been fined $80,000.00 for nursing home negligence which resulted in the wrongful death of one of their patients. The Fresno man, who was reported to be a schizophrenic, choked on his food as the result of negligent supervision by the nursing home staff.  The staff was more than aware that the patient had trouble chewing his food and was at risk of choking unless his food was properly cut or chopped into small pieces. The nurses tried to perform the Heimlich maneuver but were unable to remove the food lodged in the man's throat and the paramedics attempted to remove the meatball by suction, but were unsuccessful. The man died later that night in the Fresno hospital.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) conducted an investigation into the hospital and found that because the home was informed of the choking hazard posed to the man if he were to eat whole portions of food, the nursing home should be held accountable in his death and fined for their actions. In addition to the fines, the nursing home has gone down on the legal rating scale for nursing homes. The home is now a one out of five stars on the rating scale and probably at risk of a wrongful death claim against them by the family of the patient who choked to death.

Elder care is a growing demand in our society, and with that demand there is an increase in the potential abuse of the elderly who need the care. When a family places their loved one in a nursing home they are hoping and expecting that the nursing home facilities will have their loved one's best interests at heart and take all precautionary measures to preserve the patients life.  In the case of this wrongful death, the 54-year old man choked to death because someone in the chain of command forgot to cut up his dinner; these nurses were fired but that does not bring the man back from the dead.

Maybe you have the belief that your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse or died a wrongful death in a negligent nursing home in Fresno. If this describes your circumstances, please contact one of our Fresno Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers  today for a confidential, free consultation.